‘1-2-3’ bags four trophies in North Virginia fest

Carlos Dala

Carlo Obispo’s “1-2-3” (Gasping for Air) scored four awards at the Northern Virginia International Film and Music Festival early this month in Fairfax, North Virginia.

Obispo won best director, while lead star, Carlos Dala, bagged the best actor award.
The movie, produced by TBA Studios, also collected the best cinematography (for Carlo Mendoza) and best editing (for Thop Nazareno) citations at the US fest.

Also known as the Nova Fest, the event is now on its fourth year and aims to “celebrate and launch the careers of both veteran and budding artists.”

After securing these international honors, he hopes that his countrymen would also have the chance to appreciate the movie, which focuses on the menace of child trafficking.

“I hope local moviegoers would get to see it for themselves when it’s released here. This is a film that was made not only for festivals, but more importantly for Filipino viewers,” Obispo told the Inquirer.

He explained that “it’s always encouraging” to bring home plaudits from abroad, though. “It inspires you to work harder and do better.”

He said that accolades should push directors “to share with the audience stories that they are called to tell.”

Carlos Dala (left) and Barbara Miguel in “1-2-3”

“I am always driven to tell stories that express the feelings and thoughts of the oppressed … issues that would never get tackled in mainstream cinema,” Obispo pointed out.

Next stop for “1-2-3” was the Riverside International Film Festival in California, where the Filipino film vied for best feature, actor (Dala) and cinematography (Mendoza).

TBA Studios, headed by Fernando Ortigas and EA Rocha, released this statement: “‘1-2-3’ is an accomplished film with a timely theme and an important message for all.”

Meanwhile, Louie Ignacio’s “Area” garnered the bronze medal at the New York Festival for Film and Television held recently. Also, the Cine Filipino movie, Allan Michael Ibañez and Dexter Hemedez’s “1st Sem,” has been adjudged best indie film at the Spotlight Awards.